Labor Laws & Money Blog

WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative has invoked the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to review whether workers at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Yokohama), located in the state of Coahuila, Mexico, are being denied the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. This follows the recent closure of the Yokohama tire manufacturing plant in Salem, Virginia and the layoff of nearly 600 American workers. The United States will suspend the liquidation of all entries of goods into this country from the Yokohama facility, which produces tires, until further notice.Today’s action demonstrates the Trump administration’s America First approach, which ensures our trade partners do not undermine worker protections to gain an unfair trade advantage or attract investment. The Secretary of Labor and United States Trade Representative co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement (ILC). On August 26, 2026, the ILC received an RRM petition from the Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana (LSOM), a Mexican labor union, and the International Lawyers Assisting Workers Network (ILAW). The petition alleges that Yokohama is violating workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining by retaliating against workers for engaging in union activity. These actions include engaging in unequal treatment against LSOM supporters, the denial of access to the plant for LSOM special delegates while granting unrestricted access to the representatives of a competing union, irregularities leading up to a Certificate of Representation vote, unlawful dismissals, and non-compliance with the sectoral collective bargaining agreement for the rubber manufacturing industry (known as the “contrato ley”). The ILC reviews RRM petitions that it receives, and the accompanying information, within 30 days.  After conducting this review, the ILC determined that there is sufficient, credible evidence of a denial of rights enabling the good faith invocation of enforcement mechanisms. As a result, the United States Trade Representative has submitted a request to Mexico that Mexico review whether workers at Yokohama are being denied the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Mexico has 10 days to agree to conduct a review and, if it agrees, 45 days from today to complete the review.  The RRM, developed under the first Trump administration, is an unprecedented trade tool that works to level the playing field for American workers and businesses by addressing weak labor law enforcement in Mexican workplaces that compete in trade with the U.S.   Read the request for review.Read the letter to the Secretary of the Treasury.View information about previous requests.Learn more about the department’s work to make global competition fair for American workers.

In the week ending September 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 197,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 196,000 to 198,000. The 4-week moving average was 202,250, a decrease of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 203,250 to 204,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today released a fact sheet to help employers and workers rapidly respond to opioid-related overdose emergencies in the workplace.Opioid emergencies can happen anywhere, including at work, and being prepared can help save a life. OSHA’s new guidance, “Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications,” is part of the Great American Recovery Initiative, a government-wide effort by the Trump Administration prioritizing addiction treatment and recovery. The fact sheet provides practical information that focuses on empowering workplaces to recognize the signs of an overdose and act immediately.“President Trump has charged the Department of Labor with making recovery part of our workforce strategy, helping more individuals return to work and ensuring our businesses have the workers they need,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “Today’s guidance, released as part of President Trump’s Great American Recovery Initiative, is exactly the kind of action we were tasked with delivering on for the American people.”“President Trump has been fighting back against the deadly synthetic opioids infecting the entire illicit drug supply, from known illicit drugs to counterfeit tablets sold on the street or through fake online pharmacies,” said White House Drug Czar Sara Carter. “Because fentanyl has infiltrated the illicit drug landscape and acts as a chemical weapon against our people, it is critically important that the American workforce is familiar with drug overdose recognition and reversal. I am grateful to the Department of Labor for informing employers and workers about life-saving overdose reversal treatments like naloxone.”OSHA’s fact sheet highlights key opioid overdose preparedness strategies, including:Keep lifesaving FDA-approved reversal medications – such as naloxone or nalmefene – on hand. These safe, life-saving medications quickly restore normal breathing and generally have no effect if opioids are not present.Treat overdose kits like first aid by storing them in highly visible, easily accessible locations, just like automated external defibrillators or standard first-aid kits.Educate workers on how to identify critical symptoms of an overdose, such as slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or skin, pinpoint pupils, or unresponsiveness.Prepare for rapid action in an emergency by training workers to administer the medication, safely position the individual, and provide supportive care while waiting for first responders.OSHA’s guidance emphasizes that while these medications are critical, they do not replace emergency services. Workplace responders should always call 911 immediately because the medication’s effects are temporary and professional medical care is still required.The Department of Labor is committed to supporting workers’ safety and health on the job, along with partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies.Read the Opioid Overdose Rescue with Reversal Medications fact sheet.Learn more about OSHA.  

SICKLERVILLE, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a New Jersey car wash service for willfully exposing workers to safety hazards related to hazardous energy and excessive noise levels, proposing $446,864 in penalties.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that ModWash LLC, an express car wash service operating multiple locations throughout the country, including five in Sicklerville, willfully exposed workers to hazardous energy by failing to lock out equipment prior to conducting maintenance activities and not using energy control procedures. The agency also cited ModWash for two repeat violations for failing to have clear lockout procedures and specific instructions for controlling all energy sources and not training employees on equipment lockout/tagout processes. In addition, the employer was cited for five serious violations for failing to develop and implement a noise monitoring program, establish a baseline audiogram for employees within six months of exposure, train employees exposed to noise above 85 decibels, provide lockout/tagout devices, and attach such devices to machines prior to servicing them.The company has 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.Visit OSHA’s website for information on developing a workplace safety and health program. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.  

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $65 million in grants to consortia in seven states to help community colleges develop high-quality, short-term programs that can qualify for Workforce Pell funding. Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this sixth round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants funding is awarded to statewide community college systems, or a consortia of community colleges to ensure effective development and expansion of the new programs and support the statewide coordination that is necessary for successful implementation of Workforce Pell Grants.       “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are building an industry-driven education and workforce system that prepares Americans for the new, high-skilled, high-paying private-sector jobs his Administration is creating,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “From advanced manufacturing to shipbuilding, Workforce Pell Grants will help community colleges equip Americans with the necessary skills and credentials, without unnecessary student debt.”The funding significantly contributes to national efforts to rapidly and effectively meet the hiring needs of employers, while also filling critical gaps in high-demand sectors, supporting skill gains, and worker mobility. These awards also break down existing silos between education and state workforce systems, with improved data integration, a key component of this round of funding.  The funding announced today supports seven institutions and 102 consortium members. Grantees will provide training across multiple industry sectors, including artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, nuclear energy, information technology, and shipbuilding. A list of the Round 6 Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants lead recipients follows this release. # # #The department awarded Strengthening Community Colleges Round 6 grants to the following recipients:Lead college recipients, locations, consortium members, and award amountsLead College RecipientCityStateConsortium Members (including lead college)AmountState Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education (Pueblo Community College)PuebloCO15$10,771,053Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterlooIA15$10,800,000Northwest Mississippi Community CollegeSenatobiaMS15$8,544,213Junior College District of St. LouisBridgetonMO12$10,798,968Community College of Rhode IslandWarwickRI1$5,958,273Pellissippi State Community CollegeKnoxvilleTN13$7,660,193Alamo Community College District (Northwest Vista College)San AntonioTX37$10,467,300Total   $65,000,000